Stockport’s night-time economy recognised with prestigious Purple Flag award

Areas awarded the Purple Flag are recognised for providing a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture whilst also promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and local residents. Purple Flag aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am.

Key successes in Stockport's submission included the clear drive and passion demonstrated through becoming the Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2023, strong engagement with partners including the police, and the wide range of events on offer, providing something for everyone to enjoy.

Stockport has enjoyed national recognition recently from esteemed publications including the Guardian and The Times, all hailing Stockport as a desirable place to live, work and visit and recognising the town’s ambitious transformation. Now referred to as ‘the New Berlin’ thanks to its growing bar and restaurant scene and reputation as a magnet for independent businesses, Stockport has placed itself firmly on the map.

Councillor Colin MacAlister, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “The fact that we have, yet again, retained our Purple Flag accreditation is testament to all the hard work taking place to make sure our town centre is an attractive place for residents and visitors to visit in the evenings. Our major infrastructure plans to improve the town centre and great partnership working are instrumental in ensuring the town centre continues to be a vibrant and welcoming leisure destination.

“The new Transport Interchange which opens next month and thousands of new homes, will attract even more people to the town centre to take advantage of all it has to offer.”

Rhys Owen, Chair of Stockport’s Business Improvement District, Totally Stockport said: “Since the launch of Totally Stockport in 2017, we have seen many independent traders choose Stockport as the ideal location to open their business. As a team, we have worked hard to support our town centre-based businesses, promoting the wide and diverse choices available to everyone who visits and uses the town’s facilities. Recently, we have witnessed an influx of great bars, cafés and restaurants, along with many live music venues, adding to our vibrant night-time economy and ensuring Stockport continues to ‘stay alive after five.”

Nicola Wood, Business Manager at The Light said: “The Light are delighted that Stockport have retained the Purple Flag Status again this year and we are proud to be at the heart of this vibrant and growing town.  It is an amazing achievement and a testimony to the dedication of everyone involved. “

The Purple Flag programme is managed by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), which works alongside a partnership of key stakeholder groups backed by Government, police and businesses.

There are 100 Purple Flag destinations around the globe, including world renowned tourist destinations to small market towns. Purple Flag has represented the gold standard of the management of evening and nighttime economies for nearly 15 years.